Luthando Mbengo also known as Bubele is a South African born multi award winning songwriter, an afro soul \Jazz singer, vocal coach, music producer, arranger, pianist, a recording engineer and a music film scorer. He has made himself known firstly as a producer after having discovered and produced the likes of Thandie Ngonzo a former actress of Tshatsha drama, Isidingo and Generation sopies, a project that lunched her acting career. He also discovered Athi Capone and linking up with Sipho Nyathela who currently manages Vusi Nova, Luthando produced [Athenkosi Dlepu] Athi Capone’s debut album ‘Athi – Enkosi’.

Luthando was also working with his childhood music hero Stompie Mavi, writing some material for him before the legendary musician passed on. The project unfortunately could not materialize. Luthando is also a social activist who often use music to highlight social injustices. He was approached by the African National Congress (ANC) Queenstown Constituency Office to compose music for the 30th Anniversary of the Queenstown Massacre.

Luthando has also worked with South African multi award afro centric and afro pop sensation Ntando Bangani, a project which won Luthando an award recognition as the best song writer from the Department of Recreation Arts and Culture. His writing talent has received recognitions through being invited to write for the likes of Vusi Nova, Phinda Mtya, Simphiwe Dana which are all South African Music Award winners.

His versatility in writing and performing across different music genres has earned him respect amongst his peers and is seen as the most complete musician of his generation. He has been dubbed by South Africa’s multi award winner Ntando Bangani as the best songwriter currently in South Africa and has been hailed a great songwriter by many top artists in the country including Zwai bala, Simphiwe Dana and many others in the industry.

Having worked in different genres of music including classical music, his classical works include the number one award winning composition “Dream On” and “Umnkile u-Mandela” which were performed by the University of Fort Hare during 2014 competitions of the South African Tertiary Institutions Chorale Association. His Jazz compositions and arrangements of u-Gatyeni and Ndocinga ngawe performed by One on One and Ryhthmic Clique received number 1 public vote and a top 5 vote in the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz and EspAfrika (Cape Town Jazz International) competitions respectively in 2016 and 2017.

From 2014 to 2017 Luthando has done work for 3 different choirs helping them to 4 National Championships including the University of Fort Hare. He has written work for Musa Ngqungwana a South African International Opera singer based in Europe in 2017 and has recently finished a classical musical tribute for the late Dr Makhaya Mjana a South Africa choral Stalwart consisting of 12 movements.

Having worked behind the scenes for a while, Luthando is now taking on the stage as he prepares to launch his debut afro soul\jazz album. He is currently busy with his national tour as he continues to market his newly released single as well as interacting with his supporters. His moving tribute on his personal interpretation of Lakutshon’ Ilanga for the late Dorothy Masuka had people drooling over his re-harmonization and interpretation of the song.

In most of his works, he draws on various philosophies and genres to produce a lean and decisive sound. He combines and crafts very well the African rhythms, jazz harmonies, counterpoint and indigenous flair to find a sound where a layman’s ear meets a scholar’s in a great enjoyment. His versatility is his strength as he can write from solo work to medium and large orchestras across different genres. His coming album reflects his gifted hand as well as his great vocal abilities, an offering promising to be massive.